Drug addiction is a serious problem in society but what is the real cause. Drugs like heroin and morphine are two opioids that are commonly abused. Addiction is described as a physical and psychological dependence of a psychoactive substance and the continued use of the substance despite the negative consequences that are involved. But when does the recreational use of a psychoactive drug become an addiction? To know this we need to look at how the drug affects neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain.
Heroin and morphine are very similar in structure and basically provide the same affects inside the brain. They both bind to receptors that cause euphoria. But after sessions of high levels of opioids in the brain, the brain starts to counter this process by expressing more of these opioid receptors on the neurons. This means the user needs more and more opioids to get the same euphoric feeling they received the first time. As this slippery slope continues, more and more of these receptors are present, but when opioids aren’t around the bind to these receptors to promote happiness. This causes extreme withdrawal symptoms that promote drug-seeking behaviors. Is this chase of euphoria the cause of opioid addiction or is there and underlying reason found in brain processes and neurotransmission?
Glutamate is the most common neurotransmitter and is involved with memory and learning processes. The transmission of glutamate is altered during the use of opioids. The chronic use of opioids increases the level of glutamate in the brain. Associating the strong euphoric feelings with the use of opioids comes from the memory and learning processes involved with glutamate neurotransmissions. This process is similar to associating food with hunger.
The combination of euphoric feelings caused by high levels of opioids in the brain and the memory association that is made by glutamate with using opioids and happiness creates an easy addiction pathway. When this addiction becomes prevalent in a user, trying to reach the same high becomes their only objective. As this process continues, the need and desire only gets worse.
Addicted to Happiness
